About the YMCA of Peterborough

Who we Are and What we Stand For

Our Mission

The YMCA of Peterborough is a partnership of volunteers and staff dedicated to promoting well-being within the community. Through its programs and services, the Peterborough Family YMCA reflects a concern for the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health of individuals as well as concern for their dignity, regardless of physical or mental condition, race, age, sex, religion or economic circumstances.

Our Core Values

Caring
We believe caring is accepting others. It is being compassionate, generous, sensitive and thoughtful.

Honesty
We believe honesty is exhibited through integrity, fairness and sincerity in both word and deed. It is being trustworthy and trustful.

Respect
We believe respect is acknowledging the inherent worth of oneself and others. It is treating others fairly and justly.

Responsibility
We believe responsibility is being accountable for one's behavior, obligations and actions. It is accepting the duty to do what is right.

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Our Commitment to Children and Families

Our Commitment to Children

The YMCA of Peterborough, in keeping with our Mission and Vision, believes in the development of healthy, confident children. Our programs and services are unique because of our commitment to supporting children and their families in the following ways:

Every YMCA environment is clean, safe and child friendly. Programs and services offer choice and opportunities for self-discovery. Programs are designed to develop the child in spirit, mind and body. Staff and volunteers are caring, respectful, qualified, accessible and child-focused. Parents and families are involved, consulted and informed partners with YMCA staff and volunteers.

The YMCA community; staff, volunteers, participants and business associates understand and support our commitment to children and their families. YMCA values are demonstrated through inclusiveness, diversity, interdependence and respect for self, others, and the environment.

Our Commitment to Families

The YMCA of Peterborough understands that family life affects every aspect of a person's development and that the early years are of primary importance. Our YMCA is part of a supportive community that assists families in their role as their children's most important teacher. As a centre of our community, our YMCA provides people with the opportunity to be a resource to one another and to gain access to the services they need to sustain a healthy lifestyle. We value families by striving to understand their cultures, traditions, and languages and by focusing on their strengths. We support families with information and programs that foster choices and informed decision making. Children and families learn best together through active learning. Our YMCA community embraces and supports every family definition.

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Our Role as an International Organization

The YMCA of Peterborough is part of a World Alliance of YMCA's which at present unites YMCA movements in 130 countries with a total of over 30 million members. The World Alliance of YMCA's has a primary coordinating function to make YMCA's around the world more effective in their work through the following: Internmovement Cooperation To strengthen and extend the YMCA around the world and to foster relationships between national YMCA movements

Development

To help national and local YMCAs through education, technical, and financial assistance and leadership training.

Refugee and Rehabilitation

Operates in 18 countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Services include feeding programs, health and medical care, leadership training, agricultural settlement, sports, recreational and cultural programs, counseling, vocational training, and education programs.

Working with Others

Strengthening contacts with church bodies, United Nations departments and other inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Communications

Publishes a quarterly magazine, YMCA World, and conferences and meeting reports.

Youth Leadership Development

Has a youth Internship Program at the world office; organizes workshops and publishes a youth newsletter.

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Our Commitment to Charity

The YMCA of Peterborough is a charitable organization, which serves the community. Our charitable mandate is to:

  • Promote the health of individuals and the community through preventative and rehabilitative fitness programs and health education.
  • Provide healthy and positive recreational activities for all members of the community, regardless of their ability to pay.
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Our Salute to Volunteers

Our Volunteers make it possible for us to offer such an extensive program of activities. Volunteers are critical to the role we play, and we cannot thank them enough. If you are interested in sharing your talents and skills with others, please contact us to discuss the many ways in which you can help.

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